PM Roosevelt Skerrit visits China to mark Dominica's 20 years of diplomatic ties

The Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit travelled to Beijing, China on Saturday for an official visit. The visit aimed at commemorating the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between the Commonwealth of Dominica and the People's Republic of China.

During his stay in China, the Prime Minister will meet with China's President H.E Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and the Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Zhao Leji.

In addition to this, he, along with his delegation, will also hold talks with top business leaders and attend the Boao Forum for Asia in South China's Hainan Province. During this visit, PM Roosevelt Skerrit will sign several cooperation agreements, further cementing Dominica's strong bilateral ties with the People's Republic of China.

Notably, Dr Skerrit is accompanied by his wife, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, and other senior government ministers.

Moreover, ahead of his official visit to China, he sat for an exclusive interview with China Xinhua News at his office in Roseau. "China has been a true friend of Dominica, and I would say an all-weather friend," Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said in an exclusive interview.

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He further added that the Dominica's strong recognition and adherence to the one-China principle is the centerpiece of all diplomatic relations between Dominica and China.

PM Skerrit also noted the Belt and Road Initiative and said that it has opened up numerous opportunities in providing financing, providing technical support, providing material support to so many of the countries, to help build economic independence and to advance the social development of the country.

While talking about the initiative, he said that the Government has seen an expansion of cooperation in agriculture from China, which is aiding Dominica in food security and in increasing the contribution of agriculture to the gross domestic product and also the transfer of technology to the local farmers in order to advance the agricultural, business and to see a better return on their investment.

Furthermore, PM Roosevelt Skerrit mentioned the advancements made in healthcare with the construction of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital and the introduction of new technologies and equipment. "And also the cooperation that we have in respect to the cardiology department that has been created with the direct support of China," he added.